The Garden Museum is filling up with pots, plants and lots of soil for its annual spring plant fair. Expert plant growers and specialist nurseries from across the country will gather their best-fledging blooms to sell to London’s green-fingered folk. From shade specialists to plants for pollinators, meet the growers and find out what will flourish in your garden, balcony or allotment. There’ll also be a series of talks and workshops on everything from attracting wildlife in small spaces to cookery demos. 

Madame Butterfly

Cio-Cio-San, the young Japanese bride of American naval officer Lieutenant Pinkerton, finds her romantic idyll shattered when he deserts her shortly after their marriage. She lives in hope that one day he will return.

Walk through the Chester Road entrance and (if you’re lucky enough to catch them) you’ll find an avenue belted by tall white Sunset Boulevard-variety cherry blossoms. For more cherry-chasing, hit the south end of Avenue Gardens, where a cluster of pink trees hang over the path like a big pink cloud.